The rain had just stopped, and the ground was still very damp.
Knowing there was no way to avoid it, Chizuki decided to just go for it and started running.
Her originally blue-gray fur was now tinged with the muddy yellow of sand and dirt.
There was no helping it. A Nekomata often walking by the sea couldn't avoid getting wet.
Just as she passed the beach, the Hydro Slimes near the shore spotted her.
Nervously gripping the Dull Blade in her mouth, she instantly shifted into a battle-ready stance. Her fluffy fur puffed up in an instant.
It was said that this made her appear larger and more intimidating. Though this tactic wasn't particularly effective against monsters, it didn't stop Chizuki from reacting instinctively.
Hydro Slimes were relatively easy opponents to deal with.
*Splat!*
As the somewhat sharp Dull Blade pierced through the Hydro Slime's body, the sticky fluid stored inside the blue slime exploded outward.
Chizuki, being extremely close, bore the brunt of it—nearly her entire body was splattered.
"What is this?!" Chizuki's face twisted into a scowl, her feline features filled with disbelief.
"What's blurring my vision?!" She could feel the sticky slime gluing her facial fur together, severely obstructing her sight.
So uncomfortable.
She frantically pawed at herself, trying to scrape off the slime.
"Report: New monster material detected. Collect?"
The thick fluid coating the Slime's surface—the most common ingredient in elemental workshops everywhere.
"Collect it!" Chizuki practically roared.
As the Slime Concentrate was stored away by the system, she immediately felt much better.
Though her fur was still a bit sticky, a quick rinse in the water should solve the problem. She dipped her paw into the water and rubbed her face, cleaning off the splattered slime.
"Wait… does the system have an inventory or something?" She suddenly remembered the Slime Concentrate the system had just collected.
"Answer: The system reserves 60 inventory slots, allowing storage for 60 different items."
"Slime Concentrate ×2."
"Then it's time to 'get rich by chopping wood' first!"
Chizuki had been worrying about how to transport so much Otogi Wood up the mountain, but now, with the system's inventory, she didn't have to fret at all.
She dashed up the nearby hillside on all fours and began chopping away at the trees with gusto.
"Otogi Wood ×27." After a lot of effort, she finally reached her goal.
Shaking off the sweat from her hard work, Chizuki felt a sense of satisfaction, happily swaying her two tails.
"Now, as long as I deliver these to Higi Village, the quest should be complete."
"Alright! Time to find a path up the mountain!" The moment she spotted distant flames, Chizuki became extra cautious.
She crouched low, lowering her center of gravity, tiptoeing forward slowly, careful not to make a single sound.
Where there was fire, dangerous Wandering Samurai or Hilichurls might lurk. She had no intention of being suddenly surrounded and meeting her end. Chizuki knew her limits well.
When it comes to Slime-type creatures, having a Dull Blade in hand shouldn't pose much of a problem now.
But if I had to deal with more agile Hilichurls or even Wandering Samurais, then it's best to activate my "Nekomata" mode—
—and make a quick getaway.
The phrase "Nekomata" here sounds similar to "applying oil" in tone, making it quite amusing. (In Chinese)
"I must carefully avoid the Nobushi and Hilichurls," Chizuki muttered, hiding her entire body in the grass as she swiftly darted from behind one Otogi Wood tree trunk to another.
*Crack.*
Chizuki accidentally stepped on a branch. At that exact moment, a Kairagi turned around and spotted the little Nekomata caught between two trees.
Wary, he raised his flaming sword. "Gotta run before he starts his attack animation!"Spotting a wooden ladder ahead, Chizuki immediately let out a "meow" and bolted.
Fortunately, the enemy didn't give chase, and she sighed in relief.
"Is this path set to hell difficulty?"
Chizuki was starting to doubt her luck.
Just as she slowly climbed over a low wall, she saw a large group of Wandering Samurais sitting around in clusters up ahead, cooking food with their long blades.
*Is the heavens trying to end me?*
She felt a bit pessimistic.
Her Dull Blade was no match for those long swords—not even close! They weren't even in the same league.
So, for this stretch of the journey, Chizuki mustered all her strength and sprinted like her life depended on it.
The strategy was simple: *If I'm fast enough, I won't get caught!*
Thankfully, her efforts paid off, and she made it to Higi Village without major incident.
"Higi Village is just down there," Chizuki said, taking in the full view of the settlement.
*"How do I complete the Daily Commission?"*
*"Answer: Please deliver the requested materials to the entrance of Higi Village."*
"Got it." With a light leap, she gracefully landed on the ground.
A two-meter drop was nothing to her. She placed the pre-cut Otogi Wood from her system inventory at the village entrance and quickly prepared to leave.
*Thud. Thud.*
The wood made a noise as it hit the ground.
"What was that?"
The sound caught the attention of children playing nearby.
"Sahei, what did you find?"
"There's suddenly a bunch of wood at the entrance! Looks like Otogi Wood."
"Eh?"
The kids all crowded around to see. Hidden in the shadows, Chizuki watched the scene unfold.
Pleased, she flicked her tail and let out a soft meow before turning to head home.
"Did I just hear a cat?"
"Since when are there cats on Yashiori Island?"
The child who suggested it was immediately met with unanimous skepticism.
*"Congratulations: Thank you for completing today's commission. Here are your rewards."*
*"Attribute Points*3: Can be used to enhance your base stats."*
"All into Attack! Everything into Attack!" Chizuki had her own philosophy.
*What, am I supposed to dump everything into Defense just because I'm scared of pain?*
*That'd be such a waste!* If she maxed out Attack, she could just eliminate all threats before they became a problem!
Chizuki was convinced her logic was flawless. *Attack Power: 13 → 23.
* Retracing her steps, heart pounding all the way, she finally made it back home.
Today marked the first successful completion of a Daily Commission. From now on, she'd have to work even harder!